Sink Mat - any suggestions?

Renato Tonelli · Jan 17, 2019

I am looking for a sink mat to protect my darkroom sink. Something similar to the one that used to be made by Arkay:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3101-REG/Arkay_PVC_Sink_Mat_for.html

cmacd123 · Jan 17, 2019

wonder if the flooring section of a store like Home depot might not have something usable as an underlay material?

Born2Late · Jan 17, 2019

Reminds me of an anti fatigue floor mat.

canuhead · Jan 17, 2019

I use some outdoor open tiling from HD but can't seem to find it online. cld be discontinued. was maybe 1/4" depth so kept thing off the bottom of the sink. came in black square tiles that could be linked (iirc)

Renato Tonelli · Jan 17, 2019

canuhead said:
I use some outdoor open tiling from HD but can't seem to find it online. cld be discontinued. was maybe 1/4" depth so kept thing off the bottom of the sink. came in black square tiles that could be linked (iirc)

Something along those lines. I went to the Home Depot a few days ago but did not find anything suitable.

mshchem · Jan 17, 2019

Renato Tonelli said:
I am looking for a sink mat to protect my darkroom sink. Something similar to the one that used to be made by Arkay:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3101-REG/Arkay_PVC_Sink_Mat_for.html

This is a REALLY GOOD idea. Even if you have plastic or 300 series stainless tanks, if you get little particles of carbon steel floating around, in between the sink and the tank, you can get pitting corrosion. I wash out my stainless sink and remove everything until it dries out. My fiberglass sink just stains

Rick A · Jan 18, 2019

PVC sink mats are still made, just google it. Restaurant supply shops or Amazon would also be a good place to look.

canuhead · Jan 18, 2019

Renato Tonelli said:
Something along those lines. I went to the Home Depot a few days ago but did not find anything suitable.

they were in the outdoor/season section iirc. will try and post a photo when I get a chance. otherwise, I think a home furnishing store would have decent kitchen sink mats that would work.

Renato Tonelli · Jan 18, 2019

Thank you all for your suggestions - got some better leads that way.
I think I found a suitable substitute at MSC Industrial Supply.

Hilo · Jan 18, 2019

I have a large PVC sink, for about 10 years now. I print a lot (at least a couple of days per week, sometimes more) and after every session (day) I return the chemicals to their jerry cans. Then I clean the trays and the sink. Today my sink looks as clean as when I had it made. I use trays up to 20X24 (50X60cm).

I would think twice about getting a mat. You will have to remove it each time you finish printing. Otherwise it won't keep clean underneath it . . .

Renato Tonelli · Jan 18, 2019

Hilo said:
I have a large PVC sink, for about 10 years now. I print a lot (at least a couple of days per week, sometimes more) and after every session (day) I return the chemicals to their jerry cans. Then I clean the trays and the sink. Today my sink looks as clean as when I had it made. I use trays up to 20X24 (50X60cm).

I would think twice about getting a mat. You will have to remove it each time you finish printing. Otherwise it won't keep clean underneath it . . .

Excellent point!

darkroommike · Jan 18, 2019

Bar mats https://www.kegworks.com/interlocking-bar-glass-mat-1-square-foot

mgb74 · Jan 18, 2019

Another option (though a bit expensive): https://www.westmarine.com/buy/dri-dek--dri-dek-panels--P015_456_001_512?recordNum=22

Arklatexian · Jan 19, 2019

Renato Tonelli said:
I am looking for a sink mat to protect my darkroom sink. Something similar to the one that used to be made by Arkay:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3101-REG/Arkay_PVC_Sink_Mat_for.html

When I restored my sink, I did away with conventional racks, bought DriDek plastic tiles and covered the complete bottom of the sink cutting the tiles where needed (drain, etc.) I bought the yellow colored tiles. Now my sink drains as fast as the faucets flow, something the old wooden racks never did. I am completely satisfied with these and cleanup is no problem. An added advantage is being able to use every square inch of the sink rather than just what would fit on the "racks". Not "cheap" in any respect though cheaper than type 316 stainless steel, but well worth what I spent. I recommend the yellow color. Sort of blends in with the color of my safelights. I probably did not need to cut a hole for the drain in the tile as it drains freely anyhow. Sure is nice to put a film washer in a corner, out of the way, even when it is being used.......Regards!

Renato Tonelli · Jan 19, 2019

The dry-dek seem to be just what the doctor ordered.
It always amazes me at the suggestions one gets on this forum; far better than what I turned up in my online searches.

Hilo · Jan 24, 2019

I am curious from which material your sink was made?

Your post brought me back to my years working with a professional b/w printer from my early twenties. Cleaning the trays and the sink at the end of the day was part of my job. I combined this with actively washing the print we had made. We had two large pvc sinks standing against two walls and they followed the corner of the room. Each sink was large enough to have three 50X60cm (20X24) trays, or four trays for any of the smaller sizes.

The developing tray was cleaned for an hour with old fix, just letting it sit in there. The other trays were simply rinsed with quite warm water. The developing tray, once the old fix went back into the jerry-can, was rinsed with very warm water too. By the time that was done all the trays moved to the second sink where the prints were being washed. The trays we stood up against the back of the sink, to let the water out. Then the first sink was cleaned, first with warm water and then I used a large soft brush in combination with the water, to make sure everything was clean. That was from 1980 and on. I have seen these sinks go past the year 2000 and they never got dirty or damaged. The first sink for my own darkroom I made from wood and a two components paint, it never got dirty. I replaced that one with my current pvc sink more than 10 years ago. Same story. All the sinks I talk about were and are used professionally, meaning pretty much on a daily basis.

Sorry I was so long, obviously my question is why put anything in there?

Renato Tonelli · Jan 24, 2019

Hi Hilo - this is where I got the sink:

http://www.eepjon.com/Sinks.htm

It is made out of ABS (I ordered it in white) and will post some images in a few days. I already built the sink stand and the plumbing is next - as soon as I have a whole day available - The reasons for wanting to put a sink mat (keep in mind that the sink is flat - no ribs):
1. to facilitate drainage whenever there is an inadvertent spill for trays - avoiding liquids from getting trapped between the sink bottom and the tray,
2. to protect the sink.
I know that I will need to clean both the sink mats and the sink bottom after a printing session - I don't mind.

Fraunhofer · Jan 24, 2019

Renato Tonelli said:
The dry-dek seem to be just what the doctor ordered.
It always amazes me at the suggestions one gets on this forum; far better than what I turned up in my online searches.

+1 on the dry-dek. My tiles are red

Keith Pitman · Jan 24, 2019

Fraunhofer said:
+1 on the dry-dek. My tiles are red

Another vote for Dri-Dek. I’ve had it my stainless darkroom sink for over 15 years. You can find it at restaurant suppliers and on Ebay. The one negative is that it gets a bit “scummy” underneath. I snap it apart and scrub it with a brush and clean the sink itself at the same time.

Sink Mat - any suggestions?

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